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As we go to press, the Trump administration is expected to announce how it will implement its modified travel ban. And yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security announced that the laptop ban on airlines will be halted in exchange for “intensive security measures,” although details of what these measures entail are still vague at this time. We will present more information as it becomes available.

The main news from TMI, however, involves Canada. Canada’s Frontier Duty Free Association has revealed that it will continue its own stand-alone conference at least through 2020, instead of merging with the ASUTIL and IAADFS in their joint Summit of the Americas next year. The Canadian Association will continue to look for synergies among it and the other regional associations though and pledges to support them however it can going forward.

Blue Water Duty Free’s Tania Lee, as chair of the FDFA’s Strategic Convention Committee, and FDFA Executive Director Laurie Karson, speak with TMI about the analysis and reasoning that went into the group’s decision. Page 1.

More Canadian News

In more Canadian news, Montreal has re-opened its Alexandra Pier Cruise Terminal, which has just undergone a $78 million upgrade and renovation. Page 5.

In addition, Canada and the U.S. New England states commit $656 million for new cruise infrastructure upgrades. Page 5.

In more news originating from up north, Importations Guay’s Justin Guay presents a report on the project his company initiated with TFWA Cares and Brown Forman, which assists impoverished street children in Cap Haitian, Haiti through the Streethearts organization. Full story on page 2.

By the Numbers.

TMI is very proud to announce that we have partnered with respected research organization Counter Intelligence Retail to provide our readers with a quarterly overview of key travel metrics in the Americas.

We debuted the first of these reports with an information-packed overview of airport and traveler statistics in South America specially compiled by CiR for the ASUTIL issue of TMI, published earlier this month. The detailed infographic and synopsis are reproduced here in full on pages 3 and 4.

Swiss research agency m1nd-set has released an optimistic assessment of the impact that Brexit will have on the duty free business in the UK and other parts of Europe. See highlights on page 3.

Airports

Westfield has released details of seven new retail concepts it is introducing in partnership with Dufry and Hudson, and Areas, at LAX Terminal 3. Page 5.

Airlines in the Americas have launched some exciting new long-haul air routes over the past few weeks, with non-stop service between MIA-Sao Paulo; Montreal-Tel Aviv, and SFO – Manchester. See details on page 6.

Supplier News

Carnival Cruise Line‘s award-winning bartender Miroslav Kljajic follows up his success as the 2016 Bacardi Legacy Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year and a semi-finalist in the 2017 competition, by reaching the finals of the United States Bartenders’ Guild Most Imaginative Bartender. Kljajic reached the finals by being named the winner of the Cruise category competition, presented by Bombay Sapphire gin. Page 5.

Estée Lauder has signed makeup artist and influencer Violette as its new Global Beauty Director. Page 6.